Greece is becoming one of the most popular destinations for expats from around the world. It offers many attractions and an idyllic setting, ensuring a high quality of life. More and more people are falling in love with this country and want to live here, whether it’s to retire or to work. To settle permanently in Greece, you must complete a number of administrative formalities. If you are a citizen of a European Union country, living in Greece will not be complicated. All you need to do is to follow the following steps, allowing you to live and settle in Greece. I’m Lisbob, the expats assistant, and I am going to tell you all about the administrative procedures for living in Greece.
Certificate of residence
The certificate of residence is issued by the foreigners’ department of the police. It allows you not only to reside in Greece, but also to work and take exams. This administrative document is valid for 5 years and can be obtained after 3 months of stay in the country.
Permanent residence permit
The permanent residence permit can be issued after 5 years of residence in the territory. However, in Greece, it is issued exceptionally for the acquisition of a property worth at least 250,000 euros.
Here are 10 administrative procedures and formalities to live in Greece
Greek Tax Identification Number (AFM)
The tax identification number is essential. It allows you to make a lot of administrative steps, as soon as they are related to the earning or spending of money. Thus you will need this number to:
· Take out a telephone subscription
· Open a bank account
· Subscribe to an energy contract
· Sign a lease agreement
· Buy a property
· Have a valid driving license in Greece
This is simply the first administrative step to take when you move to Greece. We have prepared a dedicated article on this topic, available here.
Social security number (AMKA)
This social security number will not be necessary at first, as you are normally already covered by your country of origin. You can first use your European Health Insurance Card to have your health expenses reimbursed. This card is to be requested from your health insurance company and is delivered to you free of charge.
In the long run, you will need to obtain a Greek social security number (AMKA): this will reduce your health costs and facilitate your reimbursements. To find out in detail how to obtain this AMKA number, we suggest you consult our dedicated article.
Acquisition of a property
To live in Greece, you will need accommodation. Depending on your budget, you can either buy a house or an apartment. To buy a property, you will need the administrative documents mentioned above, but also the advice of a lawyer. The latter will take care of all the steps associated with this operation.
Health insurance
It is important to take care of your health, to do so you must have a health insurance adapted to your condition. The most recommended solution is to use private insurance.
Collecting your pension and taxes
As Greece is a country of the European Union, you can receive your pension there. You must notify your pension fund of your change of address beforehand. This is an important step in order to allow the latter to relocate the payment of your pension from your country of origin to Greece. You will also need to provide a Greek bank ID.
In addition to this notification, you will need to send your pension fund a document called a Certificate of Existence. This must be submitted every year to prove that you are still alive. This is a precautionary measure to ensure that your pension is paid when you live abroad.
Your pension is paid into your Greek bank account by your country of origin’s pension fund. This pension remains taxable in your country, even if your country has a tax treaty with Greece. If your pension is paid by a private pension fund, it is only taxable in Greece.
It should be noted, however, that in order to be eligible for the application of the tax treaty, you must have stayed in Greece for more than 183 days.
Opening a bank account
Once you have obtained your Greek tax number, it will be important to open a bank account in order to transfer money and receive your salary or pension.
Indeed, opening a bank account in Greece allows you to domicile your income and benefit from banking services such as debit or credit cards, home loans or international transfers.
A bank account cannot be opened without a Greek tax number, and it is necessary to present documents in order to open an account, such as
Identification: valid national identity card or passport
AFM tax number
Proof of address: electricity, water or telephone bill
Proof of occupation: employment contract, pay slip
As an expat, it is sometimes difficult to find a bank that is convenient, online, inexpensive and expat-friendly. Lisbob highly recommends N26 Bank: a free bank card and IBAN in less than 5 minutes. In addition, you can enjoy fast transfers and many other benefits. In short, the best bank for expats.
Foreign car registration
When leaving abroad, it is also necessary to prepare the registration of your car. Indeed, each European country has its own legislation concerning the registration of vehicles and the taxes that apply to them, and many expats are ill-prepared (or not at all) and have had to face disappointments.
From the moment you stay more than 183 days in Greece, you will have to do this registration or you will be fined.
It is important to respect the steps and to plan ahead. This is good news because we have also prepared a file on this subject which explains how to register a foreign vehicle in Greece.
Pets
If you decide to move to Greece with your pet then you will need to make certain arrangements for your four-legged friend and follow certain steps. Indeed, Greece, like other European countries, imposes certain regulations for pets and the ones you will take with you when you move to Greece will not escape them.
In order to proceed with the registration and obtain the license for your pet in Greece, you will need to present:
Animal health bulletin (rabies vaccine up to date)
Electronic identification chip
Some breeds of dogs fall into special categories and require special procedures and formalities. You can learn more in our article about pets in Greece.
Of course, each expatriation project is unique and there are many administrative procedures that are also unique. You can contact us to learn more about the formalities related to your project.
In conclusion, Greece is a country where it is good to live, but in order to settle there legally and peacefully, you will have to be patient and carry out several administrative procedures. These will take some time to do, but will allow you to access all the benefits of local life. These administrative steps aren’t impossible to get through, and by following our advice you will be able to complete them without too much difficulty.
